Test-connector for electric wires.



A. KNEISEL. TEST CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRIC WIRES. APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1912.

I ,O55,305, Patented M21114, 1913.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR KNEISEL, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

TEST-CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRIC WIRES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 15, 1912. Serial No. 697,526.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR Knnisnn, citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Test-Connectors for Electric Wires, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in test-connectors for electric wires, and has for its object the provision or a connecting member which will be extremely simple in construction, while possessing the advantages of securing the maximum eliiciency, coupled with a low cost of production.

The principal utility of my in'iprovement consists in mechanically and electrically connecting two or more wires carrying the electric current, such as telephone party line Wires, in an improved manner. Inasmuch as these devices commonly are used out of doors, the need for etliciency, simplicity and cheapness is obvious, since devices of this character are required in' very large numhers, and rarely ever are they used a second time.

Accordingly, I have devised several types of test-connector which are herein shown and described in typical forms, as embodiments of my said invention.

Certain features shown herein are set forth and claimed in my prior co-pending application, Ser. No. (362,509, tiled Nov. 27th, 1911.

Referring to the drawings which I shall later describe in detail, it is seen that the tOSt-COIIDOCtOl comprises a common metallic strip or body-member in association with a plurality of clips, structurally adapted thereto and secured in place, preferably by screwbolts. Either the body member or the clips are suitably formed to lit one within or upon the other, so as to hold these members in proper relation and clamp the interposed wires firmly in place.

In order ,to aceomn'iodate various sizes of wire within the connector and secure a direct, even pressure thereon, the body portion preferably is formed with an annular elevated rim to be engaged by {he boll. while adjacc t to the outtr emls .the1iare provided e'evated portons or bugs adapted to space the clips at a distance li'ron'i said body portion( The clips preferably are of rectangular form, and are so positioned as to engage the wires, closely adjacent to the central portion of the body, while providing down-turned ends for holding the members in alinement. Thus the strain of the connected wires is best resisted, as they are held closely together, and said wires are afforded practically no leverage for working loose. The lugs or their equivalents, may be provided upon the clips, if desired; the body portion may be suitably bent to accommodate several sets of wires, when necessary; the rectangularly-bent ends of the clips may also be positioned to engage laterally against the body portion, instead of at its ends, and other changes may be adopted in meeting ditl'erent requirements of use.

Further details of my improvements will be explained in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figures 1 and 2 are side and plan views of a two-wire connector embodying my invention. Fig. 52 is a fragmentary "icw showing upturned corner lugs. Figs. 3 and 4 are side views of connectors illustrating "further details and modifications. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified clip. Figs. (i and 7 show two types of StfI'tPW-bOliS partially in section, and Figs. 8 and 5) are top and side views of another modification providing connections for a plurality of wires.

The same character of reference is employed to designate similar parts throughout each of the severalligures oi the drawings.

The body portion a in each of the illustrated structures, is formed from a strip of metal, preferably copper and suitably bent, shaped and oil-set. to accommodate a plurality of retaining clips I), washers c and wires (7 d.

Referring to the test-connector of the type shown in Fig. l, the body portion a is seen to comprise two integral oil-sci. portions to having central annular elevations u" and upturned lugs or corner ])()llltil u". The coacling clips I) are rectangularly formed from strip copper, and have down-turned lugs h extending beyond the ends of the body portion 1/ said clips being positioned upon opposiie .-l(l( 3.\' thereof. 30th the body portion and clips are suitably stamped out or bored. to receive the screw bolt 1'. and if desired the clips may he threaded therefor, as at l)", so that the nut c may act as a lock for said bolt, when the clips engage wires 1/.

lt will be seen that the (lown-turned ends I) maintain the alinement of the clips and body portion, being of sufi'icient length to permit the insertion of wires (Z adjacent to the off-set sections of the body, without releasing or clearing the ends thereof. The lugs 12- are adapted to maintain the substantially parallel relations of the clips and body portions, with the wires inserted, while the annular elevation (t allows the bolt to assume an angular position, for accommodating different sizes of wires without eX- cessive strain thereon. If desired, the screwbolt, instead of having a slotted head, may lie-provided with a thumb piece e and thumb nut e", as shown in Fig. 7

Substantially the same results attainable by providing the lugs a", maybe secured by stamping the elevations or nipples 6 adjacent to the angles of the down-turned ends upon clips 5, as shown in Fig. 5; the desired spacing members, thus being pro vided upon the opposing portions of the connector. This figure also illustrates the omission of the elevated annular rim a", for supporting the bolt-head, which may be dispensed with in smaller. types of test-connectors, wherein wires of approximately uniform size are to be secured.

Another modification, shown in the last twofigures of the drawings, affords accommodation for a larger number of wires are tending at right .angles tov each other. Therein, the central body portion a is depressed to accommodate the washer 0 secured by the screw-bolt e. The oif-set ends of said body portion are bored to receive 'the bolts a nd holding clips f, which have down-turned ends f f, respectively adapted to engage the sides of the body portion a for maintaining the parts in alinement, and holding the inserted wires d extending from either end and opposite sides ofthe body portion.

The preferred type of sorew-bolt e is shown in the' detail drawing thereof, wherein the end is bored out as indicated at e below the nut 6, so that the threaded portion of the bolt may be upset or slightly flared at the end, to prevent the accidental removal of said nut. The head is slotted to permit the release of the clip by means of a screwdriver, as well as with a wrench. Of course, if the thumb nut is employed as in instances wherein the test-connection must'be frequently opened no tools are required.

Preferabty, the bodies, washers and clips are stamped from hardened copper strips, although other sheet metal blanks may be employed. The parts are so proportioned .as-to afford relatively broad bearing sur faces, which will hold the wires securely'in place without breaking the hard outer skin thereof.

y reason ofthe rectangularly bent ends afforded by the clips, for engaging the ends or sides of the body portion, these members are maintained in alinement while releasing or securing the wires in position. Moreover, the body a in one type of connector, and the clip in another, respectively afiord a lateral shoulder against which the wire is adapted to be independently held. For the purpose of retaining the wires closely adjacent to the central shoulder of the body portion, that member may be laterally grooved, as at (4 for partially accommodating the wire therein. Thus, my improved test-coin nector permits the disconnection of any desired wire, without interfering with any other wire or wires clamped thereto by means of a separate clip. or clips; thereby affording a very convenient and secure means for connecting and disconnecting electric conductors.

Havinginow described preferred types of test-connectors embodying my inventlon, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following 1. In a connector for electric conductors, the combination with an elongated metallic body-portion centrally bent to provide shoulders intermediate of the ends, of a plurality of angnlarly bent metallic clips terminally engaging the body-portion and, securing means associated with each for individually attaching and releasing said clips, substantially as set forth.

2. In a connector for electric conductors, the combination with an elongated metallic body-portion centrally bent to provide shoulders intermediate of the ends, of a plurality of angularly bent metallic clips af fordlng engaging members of greater length than said shoulders, which are adapted to bear against the body-portion and maintain the parts in alinement; said body portion and clips being provided with registering openings, and screw-bolts respectively associated with said clips for individually securing and releasing them, substantially as set forth. I

3. In a connector for electric conductors, the combination with an elongated metallic body-portion centrally bent to provide shoulders intermediate of the ends, of a plurality of angularly bent metalli 'clips affordmg engagin terminals for maintaining the alinement o the parts; said body-portion and clips being provided with spacing members adapted betterto secure the conductors there-between, and securing means associated with each clip for individually attaching and releasing the same, substantially as set forth.

4. In a test-connector for electric conductors, the combination with an elongated. body portion having an opening adjacent to either end thereof; each being provided with an annuiar elevated rim, of metallic clips having openings respectively registering with those in the body portions and screwbolts extending through the registering openings for securing the clips, in position; the samehaving their heads engaging said elevated rims, substantially as set forth.

5. In a testronnector, the combination with an elongated body-portion bored in different positions along its length, of a p1urality of retaining members secured thereto upon opposite sides; said body-portion or retaining members being angularly bent to engage each other terminally and hold said parts in substantial alinement, and a plurality of screw-bolts adapted to secure the individual adjustment of said retaining members, substantially as set forth.

6. In a test-connector, the combination with an elongated body portion centrally bent to afford shoulders and terminally bent to provide spacing parts; said body-portion havlng openings ad acent to either endprovided with annular elevated runs, of metallic clips having openings respectively registering with those in the body portions and screw-bolts extending through the registering openings for securing the cl ps 1n position; the same having their heads engaging said elevated rims, substantially as set forth.

7. In a connector of the class described,

the combination with an elongated metallic body portion centrally bent to rovlde an offset and engaging shoulders an bored adjacent to its ends, of rectangular clips havscrew-bolts extending through the clips and body for independently securing said clips .to the opposite ofi'set sides of the body portion, substantially as set forth.

In testunony whereof I do now aifix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR KNEISEL. [as] W'itnesses:

E. M. NIOKELS, ALBERT LYNN LAWRENCE. 

